RP-56-9

The V -Notch Wei r for Hot Water

By ED S. SMI TH, J R.,1 PROVI DENCE, R. I.
This ideally simple form o f weir has a wide, accurate
range for heads up t o abou t one f o o t , i s i n h e r e n t ly free
from aeration difficulties, a nd h a s a b e t t e r agreement
between data from various sources t h a n would be expected
f rom experience w i t h o t he r weir f orms generally. The
present paper has t o do st r i ct l y w i t h weirs o f t h e V- n ot ch
form, only, and t h e i r vi scosity corrections w i t h h o t water,
al t h o u g h t h e same m e th o d may also find so m e us e w i t h
more viscous liquids , s u ch as oils.
G
EOMETRI CAL and flow similarity in a weir may reason
ably be expected to be accompanied by identical coeffi
cients, regardless of the size and, in this case, the head.
The V-notch weir is inherently similar in its shape for all heads
since its cross-section remains a similar triangle of width I and
head h, regardless of the magnitude of the head.
The similarity of the triangular cross-section is thus established
by the constancy of the ratio
is substantially constant and the stream profile, consequently,
is similar regardless of the value of the head.
With similar flow lines
expresses the balance between inertia and viscous forces in a
liquid having kinematic viscosity v. This is the familiar Rey
nolds number in which the usual dimension, diameter d, has
been replaced by head h. These three dimensionless ratios
may be derived by the methods of dimensional analysis used by
Reynolds, Lord Rayleigh, and Buckingham.
For low-viscosity liquids and the usual heads, it is permissible
to assume that
so that [3] becomes
[5]
for a constant value of g, the acceleration due to gravity, i'or
greater convenience in use, this can be transformed into
The formula used herein for the V-notch weir is
using the customary mixed but convenient units of cubic feet
per minute and inches, respectively, for Q and h. The 5/2 power
results simply from the product of the area, which varies as h2,
and the velocity, which varies as h*/*, so that the power of h is
2 plus 1/2.
That i t is not necessary to assume a square-root relation
between velocity and head is apparent from the following, in
1 Hydraulic Engineer, Builders Iron Foundry. Mem. A.S.M.E.
Mr. Smith attended the University of California from which he re
ceived the degrees of B.S. in 1919 and of M.E. in 1932. After gradua
tion he was employed by the Standard Oil Company of California
on the testing and design of refinery equipment. In 1922 he was
engaged in private research at the University of California, and in
1923 entered the employ of the Builders Iron Foundry where he
has been hydraulic engineer since 1926.
Contributed by the Special Research Committee on Fluid Meters
for presentation at the Annual Meeting, New York, N. Y., December
3 to 7, 1934, of T h e A m e r i c a n S o c i e t y o f M e c h a n i c a l E n g i n e e b s .
Discussion of this paper should be addressed to the Secretary,
A.S.M.E., 29 West 39th Street, New York, N. Y., and will be ac
cepted until January 10, 1934, for publication in a later issue of
Transactions.
N o t e : Statements and opinions advanced in papers are to b e
understood as individual expressions of their authors, and not those
of the Society.
787
Since there is true correspondence between [8] and [10] even
where the assumption in [4] of the square-root relation is not
valid, [6] or [10] may be used even for quite viscous oils.
These same ratios [6] and [10] also may be used with similar
rectangular weirs, i.e., those having constant values of l/h, by
contour plotting.
I n Fig. 1, the coefficient C is plotted on logarithmic paper
against the head in inches for a 90-deg notch and an additional
scale for [6] is provided on the top of the graph. Y amalls
The profile of the stream below the weir has a horizontal
component due to its velocity v and a vertical component that
is proportional to the head h on the weir. The ratio of the
velocity head to that on the weir, or
and [8] becomes
From Equation [7] for V-notch weirs
which the coefficient depends upon a familiar modification of the
Reynolds number involving the quantity-rate Q:
788 TRANSACTI ONS OF THE AMERI CAN SOCI ETY OF MECHANI CAL ENGI NEERS
data are plotted (full line) on a 68 F (20 C) basis. The broken
line is for a constant exponential mean of the curved full line
over its most generally used range. Fig. 2 for hot water shows
a similar graph for kinematic viscosity plotted against tempera
ture. On the right-hand side of this graph a scale for the 2/3
power of the specific kinematic viscosity v, is included for con
venience. From these figures it is apparent that a decrease in
and from [7]
so that when the mean exponent of h is determined, then n may
be readily computed and the effect of small changes of kinematic
viscosity directly allowed for. The data on the figure may be
represented within a tenth or so of one per cent by the formula
F i g . 3
temperature is accompanied by an increase in the kinematic
viscosity and also in the value of the coefficient. I n application,
about five values of the quantity are computed for the corre
sponding heads and plotted against them on double-logarithmic
paper. I ntermediate values are then interpolated readily for
any given liquid. I n Fig. 3, the coefficient C for the 90-deg
notch with water at 68 F (20 C) is plotted against the quantity-
rate Q with an additional scale for Ratio [10] on the top of the
graph. Another similar scale on the bottom of this graph shows
the corresponding values of head h at 68 F. This figure is
most convenient for use where an indicator shows the volume-
rate directly for 68 F and the water is at another temperature in
actual operation. By multiplying va by from Fig. 2, one
can readily obtain for use with Q in Fig. 3.
While the graphical methods are generally satisfactory, the
following approximate exponential formula may be useful for
some purposes:
From [4] and [5]
for water at 68 F and heads of from 2.5 to 10 inches.
I nspite of the fact that a mean value of n was used
in this formula, it may be used with less error than the
usual Q-h logarithmic graph previously mentioned,
especially where logarithmic tables and a modern
calculating machine are available. However, since
the coefficient curve flattens out at both high and
low heads, and in general'acts like that for a thin-
plate orifice, the above exponential formula should
not be used for extrapolating bejrond the limits for
which the mean n has been selected. The following
values give the viscosity correction for water at
various temperatures as computed by [14].
Temperature, F
Correction, per cent
32 50
0.71 0.35
100
- 0.44
150
- 0.96
200
- 1.37
250 300 350
- 1.68 - 1.89 - 2.11
The surface tension s may reasonably be expected to contract
the surface of very small streams and thus pinch down their
cross-sectional area. This effect of decreasing the coefficient
has been related by Weber with
where p is the density of the liquid. Again neglecting any
change in g, the acceleration due to gravity, this dimensionless
ratio becomes, from [4]
or, more conveniently
Since low rates of flow require corrections both for viscosity
and surface tension, contour plotting of the coefficient C, against
ratios [6] and [17] may be convenient. Also, the effects of
adhesion may be taken into account theoretically by an addi
tional dimensionless ratio, as with rectangular weirs. However,
when the stream from a V-notch weir is so small that the stream
does not certainly break away from the weir plate, it may well
be preferable to turn from this method of measurement instead
of attempting to correct an unreliable value.
For theoretically complete similarity, the dimensions of the
weir box should be changed in proportion to the head. Since
this is generally impracticable, their effects are generally mini
mized by reducing the velocity of approach to a negligible amount,
or a small determinate value, by having the vertex of the weir
notch over 3h from the floor and sides of the weir box, and by
providing baffling to produce fairly uniform approach velocity
with the slight, diffused turbulence that results from sieving
the flow through holes in one of the baffles. The nearest baffle
should be at a distance of at least 4h from the weir plate and
preferably about 10/a. distant. The head h should be measured
at a point slightly downstream of this baffle. The weir edge
should be sharp and square with about 1/ 32-in . thickness, and the
trailing edge should have about a 60-deg clearance to facilitate
aeration and getting the liquid clear away. Y amall used this
construction with a maximum head of 16 in. and his data are
used herein in view of the present authors acquaintance with
the hydraulic engineers and the laboratory involved, and in
RESEARCH RP-56-9 789
spite of the fact that the weir box was possibly somewhat shorter
than may be generally considered desirable. The weir plate
should be practically flush with the face of the weir box, although
a thin plate will not cause serious disturbance of the flow up
stream of the weir. A free fall of water from the weir must be
arranged for.
The head is generally measured in a stilling well. Obviously,
no density correction will be required so long as a hook gage is
used and the liquid has the same temperature in the well as in
the main flow stream. I f a float be used, its depth of immersion
will be slightly affected by the density of the liquid in which it
floats. Ordinarily, for hot-water measurement, the well is set
so as to be at about the atmospheric temperature. I n this case,
the pipe connecting the weir box with the well should be prac
tically horizontal and of sufficient length to cool the water therein
to the well temperature in spite of normal variations of the
operating rate. This connecting pipe should lie only slightly
below the vertex of the weir to minimize the effect of temperature
changes. These notes are only incidental to the present treat
ment which is concerned chiefly with the viscosity correction for
hot water. Similarly, since only elementary mathematics is
involved, a number of intermediate steps have been omitted in
the interest of conciseness.
Considerable literature presenting the theory and coefficients
for this metering means exists. This literature has been freely
drawn upon for the purposes of the present paper, especially as
noted in the appended references. I t is hoped, however, that
the simple physical correlations between phenomena and equa
tions followed herein will give a clear picture and a useful one
to the engineer who does not specialize in this subject.
N OMENCLATUHE
I = width of weir stream, in.
h = head on weir, above vertex, in.
v = velocity, fps
v = kinematic viscosity, cm2/sec
g = acceleration due to gravity (32.174 standard), ft per sec per
sec
Q = quantity-rate of flow, cu ft per min
C = coefficient
n = exponent of viscosity correction
P = density of liquid (grams mass), g per cu cm or lb per cu ft
s = surface tension (grams mass), based on dynes per centimeter
length, g/sec2.
R e f e r e n c e s
1 D. R. Yarnall, Accuracy of the V-Noteh Weir Method of
Measurement, A.S.M.E. Trans., 1927, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 21-24.
2 A. H. Gibson, Similarity and Model Experiments, Engi
neering, Mar. 14, 1924, p. 327; shows the dimensional basis and also
an erroneous exponential formula for viscosity corrections.
3 A. H. Gibson, Hydraulics and Its Applications, 1925 Ed.,
Van Nostrand, pp. 160-164; contains a discussion of V-notch weir
installation conditions.
4 H. W. Gardner, Dimensional Homogeneity Applied to the
Standard Orifice, Colorado School of Mines Magazine, vol. 23, no. 4,
April, 1933, pp. 5-7, includes effect of surface tension.
5 A. C. Chick, App. 15, Hydraulic Laboratory Practice,
A.S.M.E. This paper includes a useful discussion of weir and model
coefficients. John R. Freeman refers to above mentioned error in
Gibsons work in the Introduction. Also, on page 511 of the volume,
it is shown that heads of less than one inch may produce serious
uncertainties.
6 Schoder and Turner, Precise Weir Measurements, A.S.C.E.
Trans., vol. 93, 1929; includes discussions by Lindquist and Pardoe
giving dimensional analysis and V-notch-weir data, respectively;
also includes considerable discussion.
7 M. P. OBrien, Least Error in V-Notch-Weir Measurements
When Angle is 90 Degrees (for a given error of angle). Engineering
News-Record, vol. 98 (1927), p. 1030.
8 F. W. Greve, Calibration of Sixteen Triangular Weirs at
Purdue University, Engineering News-Record, vol. 105 (1930), pp.
166-167; refers to weir tests in progress on water, oils, and sugar
solutions.
9 L. H. Kessler, Study of Flow Over Triangular, or V-Notch,
Weirs, Engineering Experiment Station, University of Wisconsin,
Project No. H-15.